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<title>Abstract</title>
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<p><b><font size="4">Abstract</font></b></p>
<p>The objective of this project is to create interactive software that provides steganographic encryption for plain text
messages in image files. Steganography is a special form of cryptography; here the message is hidden in a special container 
file, the fact that the container carries a message is invisible to any casual observer. This is the most interesting feature of 
steganography since; the container file appears harmless and devoid of any hidden content so the container may escape any 
critical scrutiny.</p>

<p>The use of encryption before hiding the message in a container adds another level of security. Where even if the 
existence of a hidden message in the container is detected the contents are useless unless it can be decrypted.</p>

<p>
The technique used for hiding messages by steganography makes use of the LSB's (Least Significant Bits) in the data bytes of 
the container files to store the message. The change of the LSB's creates an almost imperceptible change in the container file. It 
is impossible to detect the difference without any direct comparison with the original container file.</p>
<p>
Security is a major concern in any type of communication. By using steganography it is possible to hide the fact that sensitive 
information is exchanged. Steganography can be used to encode data such as plans, instructions and images into container files 
for encoding.</p>
<p>
The proposed system will have an interactive menu driven interface. The system will be able to hide plain text messages in a 
popular image format. As an added feature 8-bit symmetric key encryption will be applied to the plain text before hiding in the 
image.</p>
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